Rail proposal may benefit area tourism

Possible alliance with South Shore to transport ND fans on game weekends.

Possible alliance with South Shore to transport ND fans on game weekends.

June 17, 2006|JOSHUA STOWE Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- A rail arrangement that might ferry football fans from Chicago to the University of Notre Dame interests some local businesses but worries others. Meanwhile, a prominent economic development expert likes the possibility of such passenger service but frowns on another part of the rail plan that would provide the service. South Bend Railway's plan calls for running trains along an old, unused rail line stretching from the city's west side to Notre Dame. Trains would haul such materials as coal under the arrangement, which could include a partnership with the South Shore line to carry passengers directly to campus for home football games. Some could benefit The passenger arrangement would likely help such places as the College Football Hall of Fame, said Rick Walls, the hall's executive director. "I think that any improvement in transportation is a positive thing," he said. "Consumers want options ... I believe it's not gonna be a negative thing, that's for sure." But, Walls said, it's not clear how much such a plan would help the hall. Much depends on details, including how many runs trains would make, and how many stops there might be. More stops and more runs might draw more tourists downtown, he said. Rebecca Bonham, executive director of the Studebaker National Museum, said the plan, if executed well, could be a good thing. "I think it's an interesting proposition that needs study, and I'd sure be interested in hearing more about it," she said. Bonham said she's not sure how many of the people who'd ride trains to a Notre Dame game would be interested in stopping at the museum, which stands just blocks from where the train route would pass. But, she said, "We'll look at any opportunity to get people to look at our product." At the same time, Bonham said the plan would have to address concerns of neighborhood residents who worry about noise, safety and falling property values. Taxis could suffer Taxi companies worry that direct-to-campus train service could slice into their profits. Some companies count on the game-day passengers they pick up at South Bend Regional Airport, where the South Shore trains currently stop. "A lot of our business involves runs between the airport and Notre Dame," said Jeff Gonyou, co-owner of Michiana Taxi. "It would not do any favors." Although he said Michiana Taxi "would see some effect" from the proposal, Gonyou added that it certainly wouldn't cripple his company. Too early to tell? Greg Ayers, executive director of the South Bend/Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Notre Dame is the No. 1 reason people come to visit the area, and that the passenger service proposal would benefit consumers who visit. But, he said, it's too early to predict how the plan would affect the local economy. Gary Landrio, a representative of South Bend Railway, said the company is willing to work with the city to help boost tourism. For instance, he said that if the city proposed that the train route include a loop through the downtown area, his company would be willing to build one. Mayor Stephen Luecke said this week that he is skeptical of that idea, adding that it would raise traffic concerns and that he isn't sure how South Bend Railway would pay for its rail plan. Freight concern raised Although South Bend Railway sees passenger service as a possibility, it also hopes to haul materials for several potential customers, including Notre Dame. Passenger service could be an "exciting project," according to Patrick McMahon, executive director of Project Future, an agency that promotes economic development for South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County. That aspect of the rail plan could promote tourism on football weekends without hassling local people, he said. But regularly running freight trains through residential neighborhoods is another matter, he said. "This winds through an area with a lot of cross-streets," he said, adding that the line has many at-grade crossings where traffic would have to stop as trains passed. That would "present a number of significant issues for the city," McMahon said, adding that he told Landrio about those concerns when the two discussed the rail plan about a year ago. The South Shore line already has a plan to make route changes that would shave the commute time from South Bend to Chicago, McMahon said. "I would hate to see that clouded up by the coal train issues." Tribune staff writer Jamie Loo contributed to this report. Staff writer Joshua Stowe: jstowe@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6359